“Cracking your knuckles may aggravate the people around you, but it probably won’t raise your risk for arthritis.”

“The “pop” of a cracked knuckle is caused by bubbles bursting in the synovial fluid — the fluid that helps lubricate joints.

“Even if knuckle cracking doesn’t cause arthritis, there’s still good reason to let go of the habit. Chronic knuckle-crackers were more likely to have swollen hands and reduced grip strength.”

To read the full Harvard HEALTHbeat article “Does knuckle cracking cause arthritis?” highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/does-knuckle-cracking-cause-arthritis?utm_source=review&utm_medium=email&utm_content=healthbeat2a&utm_campaign=MIR1013&j=31368328&e=jonathanmetsch@optonline.net&l=16278673_HTML&u=375787508&mid=148797&jb=0

Note: This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.